Radiological Materials Licensing

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) controls the possession and use of radioactive material in New York City. The DOHMH does this for the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The DOHMH Office of Radiological Health checks and licenses materials for medical, academic and research use in the City.

You need a license to have and use these materials. There are six types of licenses for different uses:

• Type 91 - Limited Scope Medical (except teletherapy): Authorizes use of radioactive materials or the radiation that comes from them for certain uses on humans. It can also be used in non-human applications by qualified people.
• Type 92 - Limited Scope Teletherapy License: Authorizes use of cobalt-60 in teletherapy machines for treating humans. It does not cover other activities or materials, except for depleted uranium used as shielding.
• Type 93 - Limited Scope Gamma Knife License: Authorizes use of cobalt-60 in gamma knife machines for treating humans. It does not cover other activities or materials, except for depleted uranium used as shielding.
• Type 52 - Limited Scope Non-Human Use License: Authorizes research and development, clinical testing, or use of analytical equipment where radioactive materials or resulting radiation are used in non-human applications.
• Type 75 - Human Use Broad Scope License: Authorizes various activities involving humans under general authorization. It may also cover non-human applications.
• Type 74 - Non-Human Use Broad Scope License: Authorizes various activities under general authorization that do not involve application of radioactive materials or resulting radiation to humans.

If you need to make a change that affects your licensed operation or facility, you must ask for and get an amendment from DOHMH before making the change.

• No radioactive materials before license: You cannot order or have radioactive materials until you get a Radioactive Materials License. You can find the qualifications and required experience for working with radioactive materials in these U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission guides:

  • Compliance Guide for Human Use Medical License
  • Compliance Guide for Non-Human Use Medical License
  • Index of Additional Compliance Guides

• Proof of insurance: You need to show proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance. This includes:

  • Name of the insurance carrier
  • Policy number
  • Expiration date
    
    If you are exempt, you need a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board with the New York State-assigned Exemption Certificate Number. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

• Permit fees: Do not send payment with your application. You will be billed later. Here are the fees:

  • $1,365.00 - Limited Scope License - Teletherapy, new license (valid for five years)
  • $1,165.00 - Limited Scope License - Teletherapy, renewal
  • $1,350.00 - Limited Scope License - Medical, new license (valid for five years)
  • $1,150.00 - Limited Scope License - Medical, renewal
  • $570.00 - Limited Scope License for Non-Human Use - new license (valid for five years)
  • $440.00 - Limited Scope License for Non-Human Use - renewal
  • $3,135.00 - Broad Scope License - Medical or Non-Human, new license (valid for 5 years)
  • $1,520.00 - Broad Scope License - Medical or Non-Human, renewal
  • $1,365.00 - Gamma Knife Radiosurgery - new license (valid for five years)
  • $1,365.00 - Gamma Knife Radiosurgery - renewal
  • $235.00 - Amendment fee, for each amendment

• Accepted payment methods: You can pay using:

  • Personal check (made payable to the DOHMH)
  • Certified check (made payable to the DOHMH)
  • Government check (made payable to the DOHMH)
  • Money order (made payable to the DOHMH)

• Initial application: After you send in your first application, you will work with someone from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Office of Radiological Health (ORH). ORH will help you finish the application process. You can call ORH at 718-310-2840.
• License fee: Once your application is reviewed and approved, you will get a bill in the mail for the license fee. You must pay this fee before you get your permit.

• Licensed facilities are inspected regularly: You will get a bill for each inspection at the following rates and frequency:

  • Specific License Non-Human Use: three years, base fee: $385; each extra site checked: $160
  • Broad Scope Non-Human Use: two years, base fee: $2,450; each extra site checked: $160
  • Broad Scope Human Use: one year, base fee: $3,515; each extra site checked: $140
  • Specific License Human Use (Nuclear Medicine): two years, base fee: $610; each extra site checked: $140
  • Nuclear Medicine with High-Dose Brachytherapy: one year, base fee: $610; each extra site checked: $160
  • Teletherapy: one year, base fee: $320
  • Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: one year, base fee: $320

• Pay inspection fees within 30 days: If you do not pay, you may lose your license.

• Update your license if things change: Changes include:

  • Personnel authorized to use radioactive materials
  • Radiation safety officer
  • Types of authorized uses in the license
  • Types of radioactive materials
  • Places where materials are used or stored
  • Changes to license conditions

• Submit and obtain approval for changes before making them. Here is the Form to Amend a Radiological Materials License (PDF).

• Show proof of Workers' Compensation and Disability Insurance when you apply and renew: if you are exempt, send a copy of Form CE-200 stamped by the Workers' Compensation Board. The certificate must list the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as the Certificate Holder.

• The DOHMH Office of Radiological Health (ORH) handles all radiation issues: ORH staff are available 24/7. Report incidents to 911. For questions, call 347-396-6000.

• Getting a Radioactive Materials License does not cover other rules: You must meet all City, State and federal rules. If you do not, you may get fines or lose permits.

To see the rules for a Radioactive Materials License, select Article 175. See Section 175.101 for more details.

• Print the application: Print a copy of the Application for Radioactive Materials License. Sections 7-14 of the application describe the documentation you need to submit with the form.

• Complete and mail the application: Fill out the application and mail it with all required documents to the Office of Radiological Health. Do not send any fees at this time.
  
  NYC DOHMH
  Office of Radiological Health
  42-09 28th Street, CN-60
  Long Island City, NY 11101
  Email: orh@health.nyc.gov
  Phone: 718-786-6002

• Renew your license on time: Fill out an application for a Radioactive Materials License and mail it to the address below 30 days before your license ends. After review and approval, you will get a bill. Pay the bill to renew your license.
  
  NYC DOHMH
  Office of Radiological Health
  42-09 28th Street, CN-60
  Long Island City, NY 11101
  Email: orh@health.nyc.gov
  Phone: 718-786-6002